Every day, we partner with New Zealand councils to help prepare communities for emergency events and the disrupting impacts that follow.
We understand how local government works, and how to deliver in partnership with Councils.
Wairoa is one of Aotearoa’s most isolated regions. It has been repeatedly impacted by severe weather and ongoing flooding from the Wairoa River.
FIRST72 has worked extensively with the WDC to deploy 9 EPODs across the region in partnership with MPI. That also builded on the other 25 EPODs were currently in the region having been deployed just three days before Cyclone Gabrielle.
We have also helped equip and train 25+ marae and rural community groups across the Wairoa district.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Napier City Council established 21+ community emergency hubs (and counting).
FIRST72 partnered with NCC to supply customised emergency kits to those 21 hubs. We also delivered a SMART EPOD for a community hub on Napier Hill to support the potential evacuation of 10,000 people from the CBD in the event of an earthquake and/or tsunami.
We continue to work with NCC on further developing and training their community hubs.
Auckland Council is New Zealand’s largest council, with 200+ community hubs and marae across the region.
FIRST72 has worked with Auckland Council and AEM to deploy EPODs into communities, including the recent community resilience project delivered in partnership with AMI Insurance in December 2025.
We have also supported the continued development of Tier 3 communications networks for community groups across Auckland, and equipped hubs and marae across the region from Piha to Great Barrier Island and everywhere in between.
The West Coast faces significant isolation risks from an Alpine Fault 8 earthquake.
FIRST72 has worked collaboratively with WCRC and West Coast Civil Defence to deploy 3 EPODs to operate as alternative emergency operations centres across the West Coast.
We have also deployed 3 additional EPODs to Ngāi Tahu marae to prepare for potential prolonged isolation.
In partnership with the RLDC and local hapū, FIRST72 designed a marae resilience programme to prepare 25 Te Arawa marae across Rotorua. Phase 1 of the programme was supported and funded by NEMA under the 24/25 CDEM Resilience Fund.
FIRST72 has worked with RDC on the development of a community and marae resilience programme.
FIRST72 has worked with TRC, Taranaki Emergency Management Office and Ngā Iwi o Taranaki on the development of a marae resilience programme for the eight iwi of Taranaki.
FIRST72 has worked with STDC to identify an isolated marae as part of a pilot EPOD project to be delivered in 2026.
FIRST72 has worked with WDC, Waikato Civil Defence and local iwi and hapū to develop EPOD and marae resilience projects.
In partnership with WDC and Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence, FIRST72 has supplied emergency communication equipment for community groups and submitted an marae resilience project under the NEMA 25/26 CDEM Resilience Fund.
FIRST72 has worked with with WDC emergency management officers to prepare for a potential mass tsunami evacuation of Ohope, including the potential use of emergency containers as part of the evacuation response.
FIRST72 has provided emergency equipment, kits and training to community hubs and marae across Northland. We have also attended the annual Northland Regional Council Civil Defence conference.
FIRST72 partnered with CHBDC to supply bulk emergency equipment for distribution across their 19+ community emergency hubs.
FIRST72 worked with TCDC community resilience advisors to develop training programmes for community volunteers.
FIRST72 supplied emergency equipment for community hubs across Central Otago.
FIRST72 supplied emergency supplies to community hubs across Hastings.
FIRST72 supplied emergency equipment to ADC.
FIRST72 supplied emergency equipment to SDC.
FIRST72 supplied emergency equipment to ORC.
FIRST72 has supported the FNDC to develop marae preparedness and resilience programmes to support isolated Far North marae communities.
FIRST72 has supported BOPRC on the development and equipping of community emergency hubs across the region.
FIRST72 has supported the SDC on the strengthening of marae preparedness.
FIRST72 has supported TDC on the development of community hubs across the rural and isolated areas.
FIRST72 has supported the TCC on the development and roll-out of community emergency hubs across Tauranga city.
FIRST72’s EPODs enable councils to make communities completely self-sufficient during the first 72+ hours in response to emergency events.
Bulk emergency supplies, customised kits and tailored equipment caches to support council staff, EOCs and community emergency hubs.
Critical communications systems – including Tier 3 digital radio systems, satellite and Starlink – that keep councils connected to communities during emergencies.
Community emergency hub training, first aid, CIMS, sandbagging, flood response and other specialist skills delivered to council staff, volunteers and community responders.
Community projects, programmes, workshops, events and grassroots support that help councils build prepared, connected and self-sufficient communities across their region.
Rapid deployment of equipment and specialist support to assist councils responding to and recovering from emergency events.
We’ve also partnered with councils and other groups to provide co-branded or white labelled FIRST72 products as part of their emergency preparedness and/or community resilience strategy.
We can apply your council’s branding across our full range of FIRST72 products, from grab bags through to EPODs.
If you’re interested to learn more, get in touch to start a conversation.
We work with councils of all shapes and sizes across New Zealand and beyond.
If you’re interested in working with us, get in touch.
Find out how our EPOD Emergency & Disaster Pods can build resilience and self-sufficiency in your community. Download our helpful guide.
